true colours...

 

 

...I spent a good part of my day yesterday white-balancing, blue-balancing, green-balancing and pretty much all-colours-of-the-rainbow balancing the photos I took of some new pillowcases in an effort to show their "true colours" in my Etsy listings. I tend to get a bit obsessive about this whole process because I do believe, like I'm sure a lot of Etsy sellers do, that representing items for sale well in your shop is rather important. However, given that everyone's screens are not the same, all this colour-tweaking is not foolproof and sometimes, like yesterday, I get to the point where I've tweaked so much and so minutely that I end up feeling like I just can't see anything any more!

I took most of these pillowcase photos outdoors in my backyard on a day which started as overcast and then became sunny; that, in itself, made for photos with colours that didn't quite stay the same as the light changed, which then lead to a fair amount of editing as I tried to achieve some colour consistency in all my listing photos! However, I love photographing my pillowcases and other bedding items outdoors because it can make for quirkier photos than indoor ones where the bedding is set up perfectly on a bed. In fact, outdoor photos which make use of items lovingly made from favourite fabrics can be so very delicious; I find they can bring back memories of what is best about summertime when life seems easy and there is no longer a need to rush about and even remember what day of the week it is! (Think: simple picnics in the shade of a favourite tree, picking those little sweet wild strawberries in a meadow, lazy afternoons by the lake...)

Just to help you along thinking such sweet and nostalgic thoughts, I thought I'd include a few photos in this post from Selina Lake's very inspiring latest book, Outdoor Living, which were featured in Country Living UK's June issue...

 

 

...'Love the improvised old crate outdoor table and seating set and how perfectly the whole look is framed with the pretty ribbons blowing in the wind...

 

 

...and why not just bring out all those pretty pillows and eiderdowns?...

 

 

I found some more photos in a similar style in the July issue of Homes & Antiques...

 

 

OK, now I find the photo below particularly yummy and inspiring with all those pretty fabrics -- I think it's high time to cut into some of those favourite vintage fabrics and bring them outdoors, don't you?...

 

 

I have an old armchair with half ot its upholstery off -- I wonder if I could recreate something similar to the look below... All very pretty, don't you think?

 

 

I do hope you've enjoyed these last few photos and perhaps they've even inspired you to make your summer a little bit more special with a few outdoor fabric touches here and there -- they've certainly had that effect on me!... Some of you have been wondering when new pillowcases will appear in my Etsy shop... Well, I have stocked my shop with the two top ones seen in the first photo, here and here, with more new ones to come next week. Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a lovely weekend!...

 

 

Comments

[Heather]

your cushions in the garden look so pretty! I can imagine them hanging in a hammock! yes time to take out the linens and crochet blankets, enjoy x

[found and sewn]

Your pillow cases are so pretty! I spend ages taking photos of my own work, trying to get the best light. Love your work x

[leanne]

I think the ribbons in my trees would look lovely! Happy weekend Beata! xo

[Miss]

So inspiring for my backyard ...
And I like so much your cushion, so British...
Miss xx

[Angela-Southern USA]

Eye candy...all the photos!I agree summer time is for slowing down and enjoying. I've been thinking of setting up my porch as a sleeping porch, I've talked about it for years, but never do it. I think this will be the year. Lots of fabrics to bring out for that! lol Happy summer!

[Taciana Simmons]

Beautiful, beautiful Angela. You have such great taste.

[mrs robinson]

Oh so dreamy... I particularly love your pillowcases!